The fine particulate matter component of diesel engine exhaust has been declared by the state of California to be a human carcinogen at any concentration and is therefore subject to measures for its reduction or total elimination. The diesel locomotive contribution to this problem is projected to be 46% of the total particulate tonnage from diesel engines in California in 2010. A conceptual design substitutes gas turbines for the main traction engine and head-end power (HEP) engine of a typical diesel electric commuter locomotive. Retaining the existing HEP engine while replacing the traction engine also is evaluated. Relying on burning conventional diesel No. 2 fuel oil, the conceptual design is projected to significantly reduce or eliminate measurable particulate matter and significantly reduce other exhaust pollutants. Because the gas turbine readily adapts to natural gas as a fuel without any loss in performance, the economics and additional emissions benefits also will be developed for the use of liquefied natural gas.
Samenvatting